The Manchester United legend revealed that primary school teacher Elizabeth Thomson gave him the 'never give in' attitude, as seen in so many 'Fergie time' late wins throughout his 26-years at Old Trafford.

And now he cherishes the belt that she left for him before she died saying his "grandchildren are terrified of it".

Talking about his days at Broomloan Road Primary in Glasgow in the 1940s and 50s, Fergie admitted part of Ms Thomson's character added to his success.

The 72-year-old said: "Mrs Thomson endeavoured to make you want to be the best you could be.

"Did she help to form my character? Well, she had a gritty determination about her; a competitive nature.

"I think there’s part of me that comes from her. That determination and that sense of drive. That ‘never give in’ attitude she had about all her students.

"The three ingredients to Elizabeth, when I think about it, were personality, determination and energy.

"Anyone who’s in charge of someone else needs those three ingredients. It just won’t work without them."

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“The three ingredients to Elizabeth, when I think about it, were personality, determination and energy.”

Sir Alex Ferguson

But Fergie, who retired at the end of last season after winning his 13th Premier League title, said Ms Thomson could also deliver a harsh beating.

Sir Alex said he felt the full force of corporal punishment at primary school with it only being banned in British state schools in 1987.

He added: "Six from that belt and you were in absolute agony. I used to try to draw my hand away.

‘But that was the sort of punishment you had if you stepped out of line. In my case, it was usually for fighting in the playground."

Sadly Sir Alex, who was talking to the Times Educational Supplement (TES) about his childhood, could not make Ms Thomson's funeral but received a lasting memory of her instead.